Summer ride to save kids

Woodbridge High School junior Mark Tenney has big plans for the summer. He’s riding in and chairing a 5-day, 450-mile charity bike ride down the California coast to raise awareness about the global exploitation of children. His Ride the Railroad fundraiser will support Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), an organization that includes ex-Navy SEALS, Homeland Security and CIA operatives who now rescue children from sexual slavery, and place the children in vetted rehabilitation programs.

There are an estimated 2 million children being bought and sold in the child sex slavery industry,” Tenney writes. “In our modern society, it’s hard to believe that’s even possible, and yet it is happening every day, in every land, even in our own towns.”

Tenney needs support, and also a few more riders to take on the challenge. He’s hoping to raise $250,000, enough to save up to 250 children. He’s raised more than $80,000 from corporate sponsors that include PIMCO, Golden State Foods, and others.